Movie Review: Life of Pi

Life of Pi

*** out of ****

So, my first taste of Life of Pi was when I went to see the movie Prometheus.  There was a 3D preview featuring an Indian boy and a tiger and some fish.  It was visually stunning and even though I wasn't familiar with the book, it definitely peaked my interest.  I sort of forgot about it until I was flipping through my Entertainment Weekly winter preview and after reading their blurb I became a little more intrigued.  After seeing multiple previews, I decided that I should check it out (that and I am helpless against Oscar bait.)

The movie tells the story of Pisciline Patel, named after a swimming pool  in France.  He starts going by the name Pi to escape the taunts of "Pissing Patel" that his classmates like to throw at him.  His parents own a zoo that includes a tiger who, due to a clerical error, goes by the name Richard Parker.  The movie gets going when, at 16, Pi's family has to move to Canada.  They board a freighter, along with the animals.  Pi's father plans on selling the animals once the family gets to Canada.  During a massive storm, Pi's family is killed, he is spared since he was above deck marveling at the storm, when it began battering the boat.  Pi ends up alone on a life boat with Richard Parker and the rest of the movie tells the story of how Pi survived the experience and the lessons that he learned.

Visually, Life of Pi is stunning.  Ang Lee takes full advantage of the 3D technology and really uses it to immerse you in the film.  The freighter sinking during the storm is probably the best example of this.  It's about more than just something coming at  your face, it is about feeling like you are experiencing the same things that Pi is experiencing.  Also, the tiger is completely computer generated and it is amazing. My boyfriend, Ian, couldn't believe that it was fake.  He just kept repeating that over and over when we left the movie.  There is talk that the movie will be up for some Oscars this year and it's facing some stiff competition in the major acting, directing, and screenplay awards, but it should easily win some visual effects Oscars.  Or Oscar.  I'm not sure how many there are.

The movie is also a cool examination of what it means to have faith.  Pi wants to be closer to God, so he explores multiple religions.  He is raised Hindu, but he also identifies with Christianity and Islam, and when he is older and teaching he tells a reporter who is interviewing him about his experiences, he tells him that he teaches a Kabbalah course at the University.  I like how the movie kind of addresses the perceived conflict when it comes to multiple religions, but there are times when it can come off as a little preachy and heavy handed.

Also, there really are no name actors in the film, which I thought was cool, especially in this day and age.  It's kind of a testament that Ang Lee was able to get this movie made without an A-list name on the marquee.  Seriously, the biggest actor in this movie is Gerard Depardieu.  He was in My Father, The Hero, like 15 years ago.  I think what he is known for most now is going crazy.  He is trying to get Russian citizenship status to avoid paying taxes in France.  He is like the French Dennis Quaid.

Bottom Line:  Ang Lee does a great job directing a movie that a lot of people called unfilmable.  The breathtaking visuals and Pi's journey are really engaging, even though the movie flounders a little in the present day sequences.